
him, short of taking his life. The remainder of the book of Job gives insight
into human history from the larger view of what is happening throughout
God's universe.
Since Adam and Eve yielded to Satan's temptations, sin has characterized
what has been going on in the world. Sin involves a broken relationship
between created beings and God as well as transgression of God's laws.
Satan broke faith with God. So did Adam and Eve when they ignored God's
command not to eat of the fruit in Eden. (See Gen. 3:3-6.) The plan of
salvation outlined in the Bible restores the broken relationship between God
and humanity, leading instead to the happiness that comes from obedience
to the laws of the universe. When we truly love God we will love to do what
He knows is best. " 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments,' "
Jesus says in John 14:15, RSV. At the close of the cosmic controversy all
humans will admit, "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Al-
mighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. . . . For you alone are
holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts
have been revealed" (Rev. 15:3, 4, NIV).
In• a lawless age like ours—a time when absolutes are being thrown to the
winds, when divorce gives license to sin, and when both international and
personal agreements lie shattered in shreds—it is time to look beyond our
desperate, feeble world to a God who loves the unfallen universe, yet left it,
to save this one prodigal planet.
IV. WHY DID JESUS COME?
What did Jesus give up and what did He gain by coming to the world
and dying for us? Phil. 2:5-11.
The basic question answered by the Bible world view is "Why did Jesus
come to this planet?" Seventh-day Adventists believe that the cross of Jesus
has universal, as well as local planet, significance. Jesus came to live and
die for more than our salvation. Much more was at stake. He came to answer
a charge against the justice of God that preceded our human need for salva-
tion. Even before the creation of this world, Satan's rebellion took place.
After the creation of this world, Satan claimed that it is impossible for cre-
ated beings to keep God's law. This is one of the main reasons why the
member of the Godhead we know as Jesus became a human being. Jesus
demonstrated that human beings
can
keep the law of God.
How was Satan's charge proved to be wrong? Rom. 5:17-21.
In order to demonstrate the possibility of living a sin-free life, Jesus had to
live as a human being on earth, and not as a God. Satan had no quarrel with
the fact that God could keep His own law. He focused on created beings.
Jesus lived as a man, having emptied Himself of the use of His divine pow-
ers while here on earth, yet remaining divine. (See Phil. 2:5-7.) He was fully
God on earth, but lived as a dependent human, clinging to His Father. This
is why He called Himself the "true vine" (John 15:1). Out of human neces-
sity He prayed to His Father.
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WED